For those of us who dream of a future where fossil fuels are something only our grandparents can remember, the administration’s recent climate rollbacks have been disappointing, to put it mildly. Overturning the EPA’s endangerment finding was only the latest blow to protecting the climate for our children. But regardless of what happens in Washington, […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
‘Shock and awe’
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has overtime on the brain. Only this time, it’s not the Sheriff’s Office taking up space on the meeting agenda. It’s Environmental Health Services (EHS). If you’re a public-facing business that could potentially be hazardous to public health, you know what this agency is all about. But the […]
Posted inOpinion
Learn to share: There’s space at the Oceano Dunes for everyone to use the beach how they want
The use of the Oceano Dunes offroad vehicular area has remained a lively topic of discussion locally. Sun Jan. 15 and 22 opinion sections contained a couple of pieces opposing the use of the area by off-road vehicles, and the topic pops up frequently in often heated debate (“Oceano deserves a vehicle-free beach,” and “Restore […]
Posted inOpinion
Our democracy is under attack
We have lived over half a century in this lovely idyllic locale and through many uncertain and traumatic events and times. However, none compare to what is happening at this moment in time—none! To say that we are living in an unprecedented time cannot be overstated or over-emphasized. As such, our individual and collective responses […]
Posted inOpinion
Listening committee
The immigration discussion is happening in Santa Maria whether certain elected officials want it to or not. After months of stalling, the City Council is pushing forward with discussing an immigration ad hoc committee. At the insistence of Councilmember Gloria Soto, who first asked for the ad hoc committee last August, the council finally voted […]
Posted inOpinion
Multiple perspectives on issues surrounding immigration can be valid
In a statement I wrote on the recent events in Minneapolis, I said the tragic shooting deaths of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, were gut-wrenching tragedies. I also said the investigations into both should be allowed to conclude before judgement is cast, and I expressed concern that inaccurate and […]
Posted inOpinion
Immigration issues affect everyone
“It made me really sad,” Brisa, an 11th grader and daughter of immigrant farmworkers, said. “I had a feeling they weren’t going to vote for this because they are privileged, but I had a little bit of hope because I wanted them to help with this situation.” Brisa, like many youth in Santa Maria, has […]
Posted inOpinion
Choices, choices
So far, in the most competitive race Santa Barbara County’s 5th District has seen in more than a decade, things aren’t looking very competitive at all. Santa Maria City Councilmember Maribel Aguilera has almost raised more than her two opponents combined. With what she says is $98,000 in the bank, she’s prepared to give dollars […]
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Take the time to acknowledge the contributions of early Black leaders
Many people would have us believe that it was an exclusive “club” of rich white men that founded our country. They would be wrong. Many textbooks omit the achievements of our Black founders. Most people don’t know that scores of African Americans made significant contributions to the founding of our nation. Let’s look at some […]
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Santa Maria leadership missed an opportunity to truly support its immigrant community
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, I attended the Santa Maria City Council meeting, excited to hear how my city officials would respond to the violent ICE presence harming my community. Instead, everyone, including myself, left feeling frustrated, unheard, and saddened by how quickly the issue was glanced through, despite many of us going to voice real […]
Posted inOpinion
A bridge too far
It’s easy to pick apart Mayor Alice Patino’s rambling commentary at the Feb. 3 Santa Maria City Council meeting. Her comments placed blame on protesters for the violence witnessed across the country and questioned whether demonstrators in Santa Maria would be peaceful. She stood up for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, excusing the actions of […]
Posted inOpinion
Santa Maria’s resolution in support of immigrant residents lacks backbone
There’s a common idiom heard among the halls of newspaper offices and other media outlets: “old news is no news.” There was certainly some of that at the Santa Maria City Council meeting on Feb. 3. The meeting was dominated by extensive public comment and discussion among City Council members on how to acknowledge Santa […]
